The soccer fields at the city's $31.4 million Elm Fork Athletic Complex, at the western terminus of Walnut Hill Lane, are still several months from being put to use. City crews have been obsessively tending the sod this summer with an eye toward keeping it "in perfect condition" for next spring's Dallas Cup.

Those caretakers must have been apoplectic when they arrived at 6 a.m. to find that, last night, some yokel had driven his red 1999 GMC pickup past the barrier fence to go mudding on the fields. This much they were able to glean by examining the tire tracks cutting through the freshly planted turf, and then by following them to the abandoned truck that had sunk into the ground.

Police arrived and deduced that the driver had erred by underestimating the wetness of the fields and overestimating the performance capabilities of the 14-year-old truck. Whatever the case, he caused $3,000 in damage which, it just so happens, is just about the value of a 1999 GMC Sierra.

You forgot to mention that the $31 million Soccer Complex sits next door to the Trinity East Energy lease that could potentially have 60+ gas wells, and a giant gas compressor station and with FC Dallas as manager and Dr Pepper as sponsor, what could go wrong.......

@dallasdrilling.wordpress.com Isn't it kind ridiculous to put the soccer field in the flood plain as well? Seems to me the soccer fields in that location was a stupid idea before they added the fracking rigs to the mix.

@dallasdrilling.wordpress.com but how many well sites since they will probably use lateral drilling methods. you make it sound as if there will be 60 individual gas wells. and define giant. is that less than humongous or greater than ginormous? and don't forget the royalties that come rolling into the city. but what they hey we could have 60 enormous windmills in the same area